Beverage dispensing system



July 5, 1949.

R. A NICHOLSON BEVERAGE DISPENSING SYSTEM Filed larch 26, 1942 4Sheets-Sheet 1 In 0612 tor Ralph Clflzcholson pMQ-PW R. A. NICHOLSONBEVERAGE DISPENSING SYSTEM July 5, 1949.

Filed March 26, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 lizvezztor July 5, 1949. R. A.NICHOLSON BEVERAGE DISPENSING SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 26,1942 .lllll Ralph (Lnicholson By M0 PM July 5, 1949. v 1 RDA. NICHOLSON2,475,511

BEVERAGE DISPENSING SYSTEM Filed March 26 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 anger-aliy j Patented July 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Ralph A. Nicholson,Chicago, Ill., assignor to Raymond T. Moloney, Chicago, Ill.

Application March 26, 1942,-=Serial No. 436E287 19 Claims. "1

This application is a continuation in part of my co-gpending application3. N. 350,816, filed rAllgLlSl? 3, 1940, which becamelabandoned.

This invention relates to liquid dispensing and :has .as its principalobject the :provision .of imiprovements in armethod and-apparatusadapted "to dispense a carbonated beverage, particularly one'of thepre-mixed variety in which the flavor- ;ing syrup and carbonated waterare stored in Lmixedcondition in supply drums and maintainedunderipressure and refrigeration to be dispensed in measured quantitiesone cupful at a time, pref- -erab1yin a coin-controlled dispensingmachine.

Detailed :objects of the invention are to overicome certain problems in"connection with dispensing pre-mixed beverages which are carbonated;:to provide means for maintaining uniform temperature :andpressureconditions for the beveeragexor otherliquidregardless-ofthe load ordispensing rate, andlregard1ess of whether or not =the :reserve.beverage or lliquid supply is low; :to provide improved :;pre-coolingmeans in which the -beverage is retainedin quantity :in a ,pre-coolingitankizand is also passed through a ipre-cooling coil in a refrigeratingbath, and then retained in a 'measuringichamber cooled by thesamerefrigeratingbath; to {providepressure-control means in- :cludingpressure-regulating valve means and :a novel relief venting means foricausing a predeitermined tor artificial pressure :drop which willalways efiectspositive operation of vthe regulating- :valve meansnotwithstanding that quantities of "beverage maybe withdrawn in toosmall amount -to cause iotherwise normal operation of theregulatingvalve means; to provide acoordinated valve system andpressure-regulating :means co-acting ato-effect-deliverypf a foam-freebeverage of predetermined or irequisite volumeand gas-content, whichwill remain uniform regardlessof the :op- =eratingload upon themachineysothat a palatable nbeveragewill always be dispensed by 'themachine.

Other objects, advantages and aspects of novllty of the invention residein the method of disipensing the beverageias well as in-details of con--struction and operation of the apparatus described hereinafter ;as apreferred: embodiment of means iforxcarrying out the method andachieving the aforesaid objects, :all of which will appear from thefollowing description taken in view aOf the annexed drawing in which:

Figure '1 *is a front diagrammatic view 'of :a drink venderzembodyin'gthe novel drink vending *apparatus;

-Figurelz isiasectional vlewitaken along thealine the arrangement of.the containers and the=drink ivending apparatus 'therein Figure 3'isran enlarged'sectional view of the ;constant ipressure container, andits shifter 10].

auxiliary vent valve;

:Figure A is :a sectional view ;of the snifter valve shown in its open;position;

Figure .5 is a side viewipartly in section ofthe improved Vendingapparatuswith atypical-wiring diagram for operating the same;

Figure 6 is alsectionalviewtthrougha modified arrangement of the machinewith 5132113135 shown vin elevation, and a schematic control circuit.

Referring to Figures 1=and 2=.of thedrawings, therdrink vender ishousedin a refrigerated .cabiznetilllzwithiniwhich isprovided awetrefrigerated brine tank ll. The refrigeratedcabinet1011s, in this.case,-maintained at a temperature ,ofabout 145 and thelbrin'e tank: H'isakeptat atemperature between: 31 and. 36 (Fahrenheit) Within therefrigerated: cabinet l0, and on' 'the floor thereofvrests "a bulk mixeddrink container :1 Z-to which is connectedgbyaconduit l3, a drum 4410fcarbonrdiox-idegas. Adjacentthe container J2 and won th :floor of therefrigerated cabinet xrests another container 15 which is connected-to'the container 1-2 -:by aconduit [6. The pressure Afrom'the :drum -14 ofCO2 :gas is regulated by :-a

memb'eri2 la whichth-as .an open top onwwhichfits a cover 23. Anannu'lar shaped memberi24 encircles the member 2 lw andrestse-againstahead Q25 provided around the periphery of the cup-Jshapedmember Z Ia. Asuitable gasket 26 isipro- -.vi'ded between the-;-cover 23 and the edge of the ,openrtopof zthememberd la. Bolts 21secure the :"cover-:23to theannularmemberfl. A conduit=28 :connects thecontainer l5 and-the carbonated "drink containerdl.

In the conduit 28 is provided a pressure-regui=lator valve 2-9twhichcomprisesa bodyrportion 3| .in-which is threadeda par-n32, between whichpor- 1 tion and" part is held a resilient rubber diaphragm -"33.,Inthei'partflZ is threaded a nut "34 in which is seated: aspring 35that rests against a circular, disc sfli which lcontactsrthe diaphragm33. In the: abodyilflor-tionlfll-is threaded a nutt31 in which xi-490i-.the';vender shown in Eigurerhandishows movably :mounted -a conicalvalve 38 that his 3 adapted to seat itself in a conical opening 39 inthe body portion 3|. A spring 4| is inserted between the valve 38 andthe nut 81. Pressure is applied to the containers l2 and I5 by the tankof CO2 gas l4 through the conduits l3 and it. From the container I5pressure is applied through the conduit 28 into the pressure regulator28 which regulates the pressure applied into the drink container 2|, bypermitting valve 38 to open when the pressure in the container dropsbelow a certain value. The construction and operation of such valves isknown.

From the foregoing description it should be noted that a considerablenumber of cold drinks are always in the machine. The container l5 holdsa number of drinks which are maintained at a temperature of about 45,and the container 2|, which is in the brine tank holds a number ofdrinks at a temperature of between 31 and 36. These temperatures may bevaried, but they are given here merely to illustrate the advantages ofmy machine. For example, when the container I2 is empty, a considerablenumber of cold drinks are still in the machine, therefore, the warmdrink from a newly installed bulk container l2 has time to become cooledbefore drinks are tapped therefrom. By this arrangement, a smalleconomical refrigeration unit may be used in the machine, with adequatereserve refrigeration for relatively heavy demands for beverage.

The pressure regulator 29 is adjusted by turning the nuts 34 and 31 soas to cause this valve to close when the ressure in the snifter tank 2|reaches a desired level. I have found that it is desirable to maintainnot less than twenty-three pounds pressure within the container 2| so asto maintain at least four volumes of gas in the drinks to be dispensedtherefrom. A gauge 4| is provided on the cover 23 so that the pressurewithin the container may be readily noted.

Within the container 2| a float controlled valve 42 is provided. Thecover 23 has an opening in which is fitted a part 43 which has a verynarrow axial bore providing a small escape orifice 43m. The part 43extends downwardly through the opening in the cover 23, and a bracket 44is secured at the inside thereof by a nut 45 which is turned onto athreaded portion of the part 43. The valve 42 comprises a bulb or float46 from which extends a tube 41 which is movably mounted in alinedopenings provided in the bracket 44. A rubber 48 inserted in the end ofthe tube 41 is held therein by a cotter pin 49. As shown in Figure 3,the rubber 48 moves upwardly into engagement with bore within the part43 due to the buoyancy of the bulb 48 in the liquid within the container2|. A conduit 5| is connected in the part 43 by a nut 52 and to anelectromagnetic valve 53.

A conduit 54 is secured in the cover 23 and extends downwardly towardthe bottom of the container 2| so as to take the liquid from the bottomthereof. A fitting 55 provided on the cover 23 connects the conduit 54with a conduit 56 which is connected to an electromagnetic valve 51, andthence into the measuring and defoaming device 22.

The measuring device 22 comprises a closed container 58 which isprovided with inlet and outlet passages 59 and El respectively. Aconduit 62 connects the electromagnetic inlet valve 51 and the inletpassage 59 of the container 58. A conduit 63 connects the outlet passage8! and an electromagnetic outlet or dispensing valve 64 from whichextends a pouring'spout 65.

. and opens the valve.

At the top of the closed container 58 extends a flange 68 on which restsan enclosed bulb 61. A cover 68 is threaded onto the top of thecontainer 58 between which is disposed a gasket 59 so as to seal thecover 68 to the container.

The cover 68 is provided with a threaded opening 58 in which is secureda tubular part 9| having an axial bore 12 and a transverse opening 13.At the end of the tubular part 1| is secured a solenoid 14 from whichextends a movable rod 15 at the end of which is provided a circular part16. A compressible part or rubber washer 11 encircles the rod 15 so asto form a valve seat between the circular part 16 on the rod 15 and theend of the tubular part 1|. Upon deenergizing the solenoid 14, the rod15 moves downwardly This valve is a main vent valve, the purpose ofwhich will appear shortly.

The electromagnetic valves 53, 51, 84, and the solenoid 14 are operatedby a timing device 18 which is of the type disclosed in the NicolausPatent No. 2,138,243 of November 29, 1938. A functionally comparabletiming device is shown in Fig. 6 herein, and will be described later.However, any suitable type of timing device may be used to operate thevalves 53, 51, 64, and the solenoid 14, and therefore, it is believedthat it will be sufiicient to say that the timer 18 is adapted to beconnected to a source of electrical energy by the plug 19, from whichextends a main wire 8| and a return wire 82. The wire 82 extends intothe timer 18 and is connected to a series of switches provided therein.The main wire 8| is provided with a switch 83 from which the wire 8|extends into each of the electromagnetic valves 53, 51, 64, and thesolenoid 14.

The timing device 18 is so constructed that when the switch 83 isoperated, either manually or by a coin operated mechanism, for example,the machine operates only during the cycle of operation of the timer 18.Upon operation of the timer 18, the solenoid valve 14 is opened to venthead gas from the measuring chamber and under certain conditions to beexplained, the auxiliary vent valve 53 may open at the same time as themain vent valve 14. Next, the electromagnetic dispensing valve 64 isclosed. Finally, the electromagnetic inlet valve 51 is opened and thecycle is complete. When the timer has completed its cycle of operation,the valves 53, 51, 64, and the solenoid vent valve 14 are all closed.

The operation of the form of machine shown in Figures 1 to 5 will now beexplained. The bulk container i2 is readily connected to the systemthrough the valves l8 and Hi. The container l5 preferably stays in therefrigerated cabinet l8 and the drinks therein are always maintained atthe temperature within the cabinet.

Pressure is applied into the container l2 through the conduit |3 fromthe tank l4 of CO2 gas. From the container I2 the drink is directed intothe container I5 through the conduit l8, and from the container I5through the conduit 28 into the drink container 2 I. The pressure of thedrink from the conduit 28 to the drink container 2|, however, iscontrolled by the pressure regulator valve 29 so as to maintain anydesired given constant pressure within the drink container 2| withincertain limits determined by the sensitivity of the valve. By maintainina given constant pressure within the container 2|, the desired volume ofgas or charge in the drink may be maintained therein, and, moreimportant still, the requisite volume of beverage will positively beforced into the measuring chamber 22, and proper defcaming action,which, depends upon. the existence of a, certain, pressure behind themeasured,drinhaaexplained. in my co-pending application; S. N. 248,114,new Patent No. 2,284,880, dated June 2, 1942, can therefore be reliablyefiedted in the chamber 22; The drinkis then directed throughv theconduit 55;- to pass into the measuring device 22whi-le-valve 5 1remains open.

The auxiliary vent valve 5-3isenergiZed to be held open while the mainvent valve 14. is open, but. the rate of gas escape through theconstricted. orifice 43.9: (when open) is comparatively Slight to thesudden and total pressure relief efiectedthrough the mainvent valve 14.

When a certain number of drinks, usually about seven'are removed fromthe container 2|,

the float. valve 42 moves downwardly and permits the headpressure inthe.container to escape throughthe-smallorificefla: in conduit 5| when valve53 iswopened, during a dispensing cperation. By releasing pressure inthe container 2|, a. positive, artificial, pressure drop is causedtherein calculated to effect certain opening of the regulating valve,so. that. therewill at once be a replenishment. of beverage. incontainer 2 I, as well as an increase in pressure, suflicient to drivethe; beverage into. the measurin chamber in full measure and with.adequate pressure to dispel the foam which inevitably, arises therein.

It. willbeobserved fl'OmFlg. 3 that the liquid level. may riseconsiderably after float valve 48 is, closed. It is for this reason.that the latter valve usually doesnt. open until several drinks havebeen withdrawn, and the explanation for this fact is. thatif. there is.asuflicient pressure yandvolume. of beverage in the container iii. toforce the levelabove the. opening point of the float valve, then itisunnecessary to shift off any gas. However, if pressure tends'tobe low onthe supply side of the line, the regulating valve 29 may not openbecause. of its limited sensitivity, then the pressure must. bemaintained at least at. the level necessary toclose the float valve 48,

otherwise positive measuring and defoaming cannot beautomaticallyassured in chamber 22. It is to be. understood, however, that thisdispensing method and .the apparatus for carrying it out, as justdescribed, operates equally well if the float valve means 42-45-46-48 beomitted; the

'saidvalye means is. desirably employed to effect economies in the gas.supply, since it is ordinarily not necessaryto artificially drop thepressure in container 2| to cause operation of the re ulating valve 32if thesupply pressure is high enough to keepthe. level in tank 2|. at apoint where the said floatvalve would be closed if it and the automaticregulating means just described, obvious, faulty operations due to thesecauses, as well. In addition, some defoaming is. achieved in container 2I, sincev bubbles and foam.

always ensue when a highly carbonated beverage of the class.,d.escribedis. transferred through pipes, connections, andvarying pressure levels.

In Fig. 6 there. is .showna, modified form of the apparat s. in whichthe precooling, pressure regulating. or snifting containeris removedfrom the. refrigerating bath. but. is, nevertheless kept I 6 cool. bythelatter, as will appear; and. thereis additionally provided apre-cooling: connection between the shifter. tank. and measuringchamber, whichoconnection: is adequate to hold several drinks, and isimmersedin the refrigerating bath.

As in. the case of thestructure. of Figs. 1 and 2, the apparatus of:Fig. 6 is housed in an insulated cabinet III], in which; there aredisposed two bulk supply drums III and H2, analogous to. containers I2and I5 of Fig. l. The two sup ply drums are coupled b a pipe H3 whichleads via its end. II-Sa. from the lower. region of drum H2 into theupper region of drum III at II3b.

Drum H2 is connected. by conduit. H4 to a drum I I5 of carbon dioxidegas confined at. a pressure considerably above that which wouldordinarily be. necessary to drive the total supply. of. beveragethrough. the dispensing circuit. In; other words, the gas supply iscalculated always to be in excess, as to. quantity and pressure, of themaximum needsfor each loadin of the machine. This gas pressure causesthe beverages in drum II 2 to be transferredzvia pipe II3 into.

, drum. II I as the latter becomes emptied of its" contents, beveragefromdrum III passing-from thev intake portion H6 at the bottomthereofthrough pipe IIta and thence through a pres sure-regulating valve[11. (similar to valve 2.9Ioi? Fig. 5), andvia conduit IIBinto theupperrei gion of a reserve pro-cooling drum or receiver: H9, situated in theupper or cooling.compart-- ment, which is separated from the lowercompartment by partition 9.

From the pre-cooling drum, the beveragepasses viaxconduit I through a.pre-cooling coil I:2.I.and':. thence through an inlet valve: I22 into ameasuring chamber I23 disposed, withthe coil I2I, in a brine bath, orother. cooling mediumv I24 arranged to be cooled by any suitablerefrigerating: means (not shown, since many typesare avail-- able) andwhich includes refrigerating coils I38; which means also serves to coolthe reserve drum H19 through the mediumof the bath I24 since the latteralso cools thewcompartment in which the drum I I9 is situated.

At the lower end of the measuring chamber I23 there is a discharge pipeI25 which passes through an electro-magnetic dispensing valve I25 andterminates as a delivery spigot I21 above a cup I 28 (positioned.therebelow byautomatic cup dispensing means schematically indicated at IEll-) Additional features of importance are the pro vision of anelectro-magneticvent valve I28 con-- nected by pipe lzfl'withzthe'top ofthe measuring chamber I23; anda-n auxiliary electromagnetic. vent valveI39 connecting into the top of the: pre-cooling drum II 9 througha pipeI 3| having a small orifice of the order of about inch .in diameter(similar to orifice 43a: in Fig. 3).

The small orifice leadinginto pipe I3I' is nor mally .open,pbut maybeclosed by a valve member: I32 disposed atthe upperend of guide rod I33on a float I34, which is mounted to rise. and. fall in a bracket I35secured to the underside of the? coupling head. I36 which'connects thevarious pipes with thepre-cooling drum orreceiver I I9 at. thetopthereof.

The operation of this embodiment is also auto:- matic and preferably;coin-controlled, although nocoin control meansv is shown. herein sincethe invention perse is not concerned therewith. As: a part of thecontrol means there is shown sche-- matically in the drawing a timingdevice like the: unit I8 of Fig. 5, including, a timing motor: I40

which would ordinarily be set into operation by the patron, as by a coincontrolled starting switch (not shown), and which is arranged tocomplete a cycle of rotation of certain control means such as the camsA, B, C, and D, each of which con trols the opening and closing of acorresponding switch I4I, I42, I43 or I44. Each of the foregoingswitches has one of its terminals connected to a common conductor orground G, to which common ground is connected also one terminal of apower source indicated as battery I45. The remaining terminal of thisbattery or power source is connected via conductor I46 to vent valveI30, the inlet valve I22 and via conductor I4'I to one terminal of thedispensing valve I26.

The valve switches I4I, I42, I43, and I44 are normally open. Upondeposit of the starting coin in the machine, or energization of themotor I40 from any other source of control, the cam shaft I40a rotatesslowly and the switches remain open so long as the offset nose portionsI4Ia, I142a, M311, and I441 ride on the peripheral portion of theirrespective cams A, B, C, and D. The first thing that happens in eachcycle of operation of the cam shaft, is the closing of switch MI byaction of the nose portion I4Ia dropping into the slot A This results inenergization of certain cup dispensing mechanism, schematicallyindicated by the dotted line representation I50, such energization beingeffected via a conductor I5I, so that the dispenser may be energizedfrom a connection I80 to battery I45, resulting in the deposit of cupsI28 in position beneath spigot I2'I,

Meanwhile switch I42 is closed by action of the nose portion I42athereof dropping into the peripheral cam slot B, with the result thatthe inlet valve I22 is energized, the circuit for this operation beingcompleted from the ground G to switch I42, through the closed contactsof the latter, and via conductor I52 through the electromagneticoperating coil of valve I22 and thence via conductor 546 to battery I45.

The inlet valve I22 remains open long enough for a quantity of coolbeverage from coils I2I to enter the measuring chamber I23, such actionof the beverage resulting in the creation of a considerable amount offoam owing to the relatively low pressure in the measuring chamber atthe time the beverage enters under considerably higher pressure from thesupply line. This foaming of the beverage releases a certain amount ofgas which compresses the air in the head space at the top of themeasuring chamber with the result that a limited amount of beverage willbe admitted to the chamber, and this limited amount is calculated to thedesired measure of beverage to be dispensed by controlling thetemperature and the pressure in the supply line.

Since these pressures and temperatures must be more or less empiricallydetermined for the various operating conditions to be encountered, onlyone set of suitable values will be given by way of example. Satisfactoryresults are obtained by maintaining a gas pressure from 25 to 30 lbs.per square inch on the supply side of the line, while the temperature ofthe beverage in the cooling coils and particularly in the measuringchamber, is preferably maintained between 31 and 36 F. Similartemperatures may obtain in the pre-cooling drum II9 if the dispensingrate is slow by reason of the fact that the drum is situated in the samecompartment with the cooling bath I2 and subject to refrigeration fromthe same source.

Back pressure in the measuring chamber I23 limits the amount of beveragewhich can enter the latter, and as the back pressure begins to operate,the foam is collapsed and restored to liquid form with amounts of headgas in the chamber also restored to the liquid. The exact amount ofliquid to be dispensed is thereby automatically measured off byaction ofback pressure in the measuring chamber, whereupon the beverage isprepared for transfer to the cup by relieving the excess head gas inchamber I23 as a result of closing switch I43 by rotation of cam C topresent the slotted peripheral portion C beneath the offset I43a of theswitch permitting the latter to close. Closure of switch I43 effectssimultaneous energization of both the main vent valve I22 and theauxiliary vent valve I30 by a circuit'which includes one side of theoperating coil vent valve I30, juncture I48 connecting with one terminalof the operation coil for vent valve I22, and switch I43 connectingground G via conductors I53 and I54 to the remaining terminals of eachof the operating coils of valves I28 and I30.

Opening of vent valve I22 permits the head gas to be popped-on quicklyfrom above the surface of the liquid beverage in chamber I23, this beinga very important step in the dispensing cycle if the drink is to bedelivered without objectionable foam and loss of gas.

It will be recalled that the auxiliary vent pipe I3i was stated to beprovided with a very small orifice, which results in a relatively slowescape of gas, while the auxiliary valve I30 remains open, to thepre-cooling drum II9, for purposes of restoring a desired pressurecondition as will be described hereinafter. This orifice arrangement isthe same in both embodiments, and is illustrated in Fig. 4, attentionbeing called to the orifice as indicated at 43x.

Shortly after the opening of the main vent valve I22, switch I44 isclosed by rotation of cam D in the manner heretofore described inconnection with the operation of the other switches, with the resultthat circuit is completed from ground G via conductor I55 to the coil ofthe dispensing valve I23 so that the latter is open while the main ventvalve I22 remains open, cams D and C being designed with this object inview that is to say, to maintain switches I43 and I44 closed until themeasured quantity of beverage has had time to be delivered by gravityfrom the measuring chamber I23 through the dispensing spout I2"! andinto cup I28.

If the main vent valve I22 is not held open while the drink gravitatesinto the cup, escape of gas and residual head pressure in the measurinchamber would cause the creation of objectionable amounts of foam in thedrink dispensed.

By the time the measured quantity of beverage has descended into thecup, the operation cycle for the control cams has been completed andmotor I40 is automatically deenergized, whereupon the customer mayremove the cup I28 from the machine by raising glass door I50 at the aren as heretofore discussed, pressure at the supply "side is importantnot only to collapse foam'in the measuring chamber, but also topredetermine the amount of beverage to be dispensed, it becomesnecessary to constantly rectify the pres- :sure on the supply side, andthis is accomplished by the operation of the auxiliary vent valve which,although the amount of gas reli-eved'thereby is relatively small,permits enough gas to escape to create an artificial pressure dropsuflioient to positively effect operation of the regulating valve ll 'l,with the result that additional quantities of beverage and gas areimmediately restored to the drum H9. This effects prompt replacement ofadditional quantities of beverage which may become cooled prior toreaching the cooling \cOil [21, and also increases the volumetricdisplacement in the drum with consequent rise in internal pressure apartfrom any additional volumes ofgas which may have been entrained by thereplacement liquid.

As described in conjunction with the operation of float valve in Fig.'5, as soon as the liquid level is raised in drum H9 of Fig. 6 to apoint where the pressure condition therein is :suitable (i. e. capableof forcing the desired voliume to be measured into chamber I23) thefloat 5134 is likewise raised sufiiciently to cause valve .132 to closethe orifice leading into pipe I31 and through the vent valve 139.However, the arrangement is such that the restoredliquid level risesbeyond the point where the float valve first closes, with the resultthat it requires the with.- drawal of as many as ten to twelve drinksfrom :drum H9 before the float valve will again open to render theauxiliary vent valve I30 effective. When a volume of liquid is withdrawnequivalent :to ten or twelve drinks as aforesaid, the pressure:condition in the drum H9 is such that further withdrawal might endangerthe uniformity of the volume and gas content of subsequently removedquantities should the regulating valve fail to open, and it isthereforeat this juncture that the float valve renders the auxiliaryvent valve effective to restore the desired pressure and volumeconditionin drum H9, However, *float valve means I.3'2I 34 may beomittedfor'reasons heretofore set forth in the description of float valvemeans-42--48.

The liquid measuring and defoaming functions performed 'by the measuringchamber are covered in my aforesaid co-pen'ding application S. 248,114,but :in the present application there are the new features of pressure:control or rectification and immersing the measuring chamber inacooling bath along with ipre-coolingcoils I21, one purpose of whichwill now be described.

I In a preferred mode of "operation, the inlet valve L22 is openedimmediately following the closure of the dispensing and main vent valvein order to admita quantity of beverage into the measuring chamber to beheld there pending withdrawal upon the next operation :of the ma--'chine, the purpose of this being to transfer a quantity from thepre-cooling coil 12-! to make room for another quantity which .may becooled in the interval between subsequent withdrawals. The coils 121 areprimarily a heat-exchange and storage means designed to hold abouts'ix'12 oz. drinks. In this way thecapacity of the machine with respect toits maximum refrigerating load, is considerably enlarged, and thisbecomes of great importance where the machine is situated in a busylocation and subject to frequent operation. The provision of the.pre-cooling rdrum of the reserve pre-cooling drums may be withdrawn.The capacity of these drums is about 7 gallons, equivalent toapproximately 100 drinks, and in an extreme condition it may be that oneor more of the supply drums I2, IE or H 9, H2 has been installed at anelevated temperature of perhaps degrees. Even under these extremeconditions the arrangement of the pre-cooling coil l2i (orchamber 2!) inthe same refrigerating medium with the measuring chamber makes itpossible to cool the beverage down to an acceptable temperature by thetime it is ready for dispensation.

Iii-designating the drum H9 as a pre-cooling" means, there is nointention to employ a limiting term, but rather a convenient designationsuggestive of one of the functions of the drum. Obviously, the drum H9is of considerable importance in its pressure regulating functions, aswell, even though it is not immersed in the bath as is the container 21of Fig. 2. If the liquid level is normal in the drum or vessel H9, thefloat valve means |32-l34 will prevent escape of gas through theauxiliary vent valve I39. If the liquid level is low however and thefloat I 31 descends so as to open the restricted passage to theauxiliary vent valve, then gas will be relieved directly from the drumH9 during the approximate fifteen-second interval while the vent valvesremain open, while the excess head gas in the measuring chamber I23 Willbe relieved by the main vent valve I22.

Following the operation of the vent valves as aforesaid, switch I44 willbe operated to energize thedispensing'valve I 26 which will be held openwhile the main vent valve 122 remains open so as to permit the measuredquantity of beverage todrain bygravity from the chamber 123 into the cupI28.

Relief of gas from the pre-cooling receiver H9 is calculated always toefiect an operation of the regulating valve H1 so that there will be aninflux of beverage from the supply drum H2 to drum H9 to restore thenecessary pressure therein and to increase the volume of liquid to besubjected to pro-cooling temperatures,

In addition to the pre-cooling feature of such transfer of beverage tothe pre-cooling drum, the pressure condition in the latter is broughtupto the required standard to assure that there will be no shortmeasures and that there will "be adequate gas content in the beverage,since measurement depends upon the gas pressure at a given temperature,and since it is absolutely necessary in order to deliver an acceptablebeverage that there be at least a certain minimum gas content therein'(for example about 4.0 to 5.0 volumes). The defoaming operation alsodepends upon the existence of a minimum pressure in the supply side ofthe system ahead of the measuring chamber. In general, the operation ofthe embodiments shown in Figs. 1 to 5, and in Fig. 6, is the same, thedifferences being largely structural and relating to the arrangement ofa pro-cooling storage coil l2! in the cooling bath with the measuringchamber, instead of having the pressure-regulating or snifting chamber2| immersed in the brine tank H.

11 as in Fig. 2. The arrangement of Fig. 6 makes it possible to employ asmaller tank for bath \l2 l, While enlarging the refrigerating capacity,since drum H9 is also appreciably cooled by virtue of being disposed inthe same insulated compartment with the bath.

It is the intention that the foregoing disclosure shall not be limitedto the precise arrangement shown and described, but shall be accorded.liberal interpretation with the inclusion of reasonable equivalents andsubstitutions not inconsistent with the appended claims and the scopeand nature of the improvement, and while the invention is especiallysuited to the vending of pre-mixecl carbonated beverages, it iscontemplated that it'may be applied to control systems for otherliquids, as well.

I claim as my invention:

1. Apparatus for dispensing a carbonated beverage comprising meansproviding a cooling m'edium; a measuring chamber cooled by said medium,a normally closed vessel, connection including normally closed inletvalve means between said vessel and chamber, means for supplyingbeverage under gas pressure to said vessel, automatic regulating valvemeans interposed between said supplying means and vessel to admitquantities of fluid to the latter when the pressure condition thereindrops to a predetermined value, means for venting said vessel andchamber, and means for dispensing beverage from said chamber, andcontrol mechanism for effecting operation of said venting means, saiddispensing means, and said inlet valve means in the order named.

2.'Dispensing apparatus comprising: a cooling medium, 'a measuringchamber in said medium, a beverage receiver, a beverage supplycontainer, automatic regulating valve means between said container andreceiver to admit beverage to the latter when the pressure thereinreaches a predetermined condition, a source of gas pressure connected todisplace beverage from said {container to said receiver under control ofsaid regulating valve means, a valved connection between said receiverand measuring chamber, dispensing valve means operable to permit passageof beverage from said chamber, venting valve means for said receiverandfor said chamber, and control means for opening and closing 3.Dispensing apparatus includinga beverage receiver, means for supplyingbeverage under gas pressure to said receiver, dispensing means foreffecting discharge in succession of measured quantities of beveragefrom said receiver, regulating valve means interconnecting said supplymeans and receiver and operable upon a predetermined lowering ofpressure in the receiver to admit beverage thereto, and means controlledoooperably with said dispensing means for venting said receiver toartificially lower the pressure in said receiver sufficiently to causeoperation of said regulating valve means independentl of the volumetricdisplacement of beverage in said receiver responsive to discharge ofbeverage therefrom.

4. Dispensing apparatus including a beverage container, means forsupplying beverage under gas pressure to said' container, said' gaspressure being maintained in excess of a predetermined minimum value,means for dispensing beverage from said'container, a gas escape valveoperatively associated with said container, means controlled by thevolume of liquid in said container for rendering said'escape valveineffective when the liquid volume exceeds a predetermined amount insaid container, automatically acting means for normally closing offcommunication between said container and supply means when the pressurein the container is above a predetermined minimum value and for openingsuch communication when said last-mentioned pressure is below saidminimum value thereof, and means coacting with said dispensing meansupon each dispensing operation thereof for opening said escape valve forthe purpose of causing an artificial pressure drop in said container,provided said volume-controlled means does not render the escape valveineffective as aforesaid, whereby to effect positive operation of saidmeans for opening communication to the container from the supplyingmeans as aforesaid.

5. Dispensing apparatus including a beverage receiver, a beverage supplycontainer connected to said receiver through a regulating valve adaptedto open at a predetermined pressure differential between said receiverand container, means for applying gas pressure behind the beverage insaid container, a measuring chamber, a vent valve for said chamber, adispensing valve for said chamber, an escape valve for said receiver, afloat valve arranged to render said escape valve inefiective whengreater than a predetermined volume of beverage is in said receiver, apre-cooling connection between said receiver and meas- O uring chamberand including a normally closed inlet valve, means for cooling saidchamber and said pre=cooling connection, at least, and operatingmechanism arranged to open said escape and vent valves, then open saiddispensing valve while said vent valve remains open, and after closingsaid escape, vent and dispensing valves, to open and close said inletvalve long enough to permit a measured quantity of beverage to entersaid measuring chamber in readiness for the next dispensing operation.

6. The combination, with means for storing a supply of beverage, andmeans for dispensing beverage from said storing means, of means formaintaining saidbeverage under a desired gas pressure, said meanscomprising a source of gas pressure connected to said storing means,regulating valve means interposed between said source of pressure andsaid storing means and operable to admit fluid under pressure from saidsource when the pressure in said storing means drops below apredetermined value, and auxiliary means, actuated automatically eachtime said dispensing means is operated, for causing a suflicient amountof gas to escape from said storing meanstc effect an artificial pressuredrop therein to a value at least equivalent to said predetermined valuewhereby to effect positive operation of said regulating valve means. i

7. The combination of claim 6 further characterized by the provisiontherein of means for automatically rendering said auxiliary means forproducing an artificial pressure drop ineffective when the liquid volumeis greater than a predetermined value in said storing means.

8. In a dispensing system, in combination, means for storing a supply ofliquid, means for applying gas pressure to the stored quantity ofliquid, means for dispensing the liquid, means providing a pre-storagecompartment ahead of said dispensing means and connected with said 13supply means to receive liquid from the latter, pressure regulatingmeans interposed between said supply means and said pre-storage meansand operable to admit liquid under pressure to said pre-storage meanswhen the pressure convdition in the latter reaches a predeterminedstate, and means including a venting device controlled cooperably withthe said dispensing means and actuable on each dispensing operation ofsaid dispensing means for relieving gas from said prestorage compartmentupon a dispensing operation whereby to create said predeterminedpressure state in the pre-storage compartment to effect positiveoperation of said regulating means together with control connectionsbetween said 1 venting device means and said dispensing means forsimultaneously actuating said means for the purposes set forth.

9. The combination of claim 8 further characterized by the additionthereto, of means controlled by the volumetric liquid displacement insaid .pre-storage compartment for preventing effective operation of saidventing device to relieve gas from said pre-storage compartment, whenthe volumetric liquid displacement therein rises above a predeterminedamount.

, 10. In a beverage dispenser, the combination, with pressure-controlleddrink measuring means, of gas regulating means comprising a beveragereceiver connected in advance of said measuring means, means for storinga supply of beverage, normally closed automatic regulating valve meansconnecting said storing means with said receiver, means for maintaininga head of gas behind the beverage in said storing means, an escape valveof restricted orifice for said receiver, means for opening said escapevalve in correspondence with each measured quantity of beverage passedthrough said measuring chamber, said escape valve means being arrangedto cause a pressure differential between said receiver and storing meansto effect positive opening of said regulating valve means to cause aninflux of beverage and gas into the receiver, and a float valve in saidreceiver normally closing off passage to said escape valve when thereceiver is loaded, and operable by reduction of the beverage contenttherein below a, predetermined level to open passage from the receiverto the escape valve.

11. In a carbonated drink vending apparatus comprising a bulk containerin which there is a ready mixed carbonated drink, means supplying gas tothe bulk container so as to place the drink therein under pressure, asecond container having a displacement-responsive valve with which isoperatively associated an electrically controlled vent valve, apressure-regulating valve operatively associated with the secondcontainer for maintaining a minimum displacement pressure therein, meansfor directing the drink from the bulk container to thepressure-regulating valve, a second electrically controlled valve, meansfor directing the drink from the second container to the secondelectrically controlled valve, and electrical timer means for operatingsaid electrically controlled valves, the displacement valve serving toalter the constant displacement within the second container to cause anoperation of the regulating valve.

12. A carbonated drink vending apparatus comprising a bulk container inwhich there is a readymixed carbonated drink, a gas drum connected withthe bulk container so as to place the drink therein under pressure, asecond container having a float-operated valve to vent gas from the--bulk container adapted to contain a readymixed drink, pressuresupplying means connected with the bulk container so as to place thedrink therein under pressure, a second container to receive saidready-mixed drink, a pressure regulating valve associated with thesecond container, means for directing the drink from the bulk containerto the pressure regulating valve and into the second container,auxiliary valve means associated with the second container, a measuringdevice having an inlet .and outlet, valve means associated with saidinlet and outlet, a gas relief valve on said measuring device, means fordirecting the drink from the said second container to the inlet valve ofthe measuring device, means for opening the outlet valve and the reliefvalve on said measuring device so that the drink therein may draintherefrom by gravity, means for opening said inlet valve of saidmeasuring device at a time when the relief and outlet valves are closedso that the measuring device may be refilled, and means for opening theauxiliary valve means associated with the second container at a timefollowing opening of said outlet valve so that the pressure therein maybe reduced by an amount suificientto cause operation of said regulatingvalve.

14. A drink-vending apparatus comprising a bulk container in which thereis a ready-mixed drink, means connected with the bulk container forplacing the drink therein under pressure, a second container having gasrelief valve, means for directing the drink from the bulk container tothe second container, pressure-responsive means for controlling passageof the drink to the second container as aforesaid, a measuring devicehaving an inlet and an outlet, valve means associated with the inlet andthe outlet, means for directing the drink from the second container tothe inlet valve of the measuring device, means for operating the outletvalve and then the inlet valve, a vent valve for the measuring deviceand means for operating the latter, prior to opening of said outletvalve and means for operating the relief valve on the second containerduring the operation of the said vent valve.

15. A drink-vending apparatus comprising a bulk container in which thereis a ready-mixed drink, means for placing the drink in the bulkcontainer under pressure, a second container in which there is stored. aready-mixed drink, pressure-sensitive means for directing the drink fromthe bulk container into the second container and operable when thepressure therein drops below a certain value, means for directing thedrink out of the second container, and valve means partly controlled bylevel of the drink in the second container and partly controlledcoincidentally with the operation of said directing means for releasingthe pressure in said second container to at least said certain value, tocause positive operation of said pressure-sensitive means.

16. An automatic snifter for a carbonated drink-vending apparatusadapted to operate through a given cycle, comprising: a carbonated drinkcontainer, means for supplying carbonated drink to said containerautomatically when the pressure in the container drops below a certainvalue, means for directing the drink out of the container underpressure, valve means associated with the container and operablycontrolled by movement of the drink into and out of the container, and asecond normally closed gas escape valve means associated with the firstvalve means and adapted to be opened at a time during the cycle ofvending operation of the vending apparatus.

17. In a beverage dispenser, means for controlling the fiuid pressurecharacteristics of the beverage dispensed under pressure from a bulkcontainer, said means comprising: in combination, a bulk beveragecontainer, a beverage receiver connected to receive beverage from saidcontainer, means for applying pressure to the beverage in said containerat a pressure greater than necessary to drive the beverage into saidreceiver, regulating means for admitting beverage from said container tosaid receiver responsive to a pressure drop of predetermined magnitudein said receiver, a measuring chamber, inlet valve means connecting saidchamber with said receiver, dispensing valve means providing egress forbeverage from said chamber, main pressurerelieving means for saidchamber, auxiliary pressure-relieving means for said receiver, means foractuating said dispensing valve means, said main and auxiliarypressure-relieving means, and said inlet valve means in timed relationconstituting a dispensing cycle in which said pressure-relieving meansis actuated in advance of dispensing operation of said dispensing valvemeans, and said auxiliary relieving means effects pressure relief at aslower rate than said main relieving means but sufiicient to create apressure drop of at least said predetermined magnitude in said receiverin a time interval between successive operations of said inlet valvemeans.

18. The invention defined in claim 17 further characterized by theprovision of means acting to render said auxiliary pressure-relievingmeans ineffectual when the volume of liquid beverage in said receiverexceeds a predetermined value.

19. In a carbonated beverage vender of the type including arefrigeration compartment, improvements comprising: a pre-coolingbeverage storage container, means connecting said container with asource of beverage under pressure; a cooling receptacle including aheat-transfer medium; means for refrigerating said medium, said mediumand receptacle being exposed to said refrigeration compartment forheat-transfer relative to the latter; a measuring and de-foaming chamberin said medium; a length of conduit in said medium and connecting saidstorage container and chamber through a first normally closed valve andhaving a capacity to hold a given volume of beverage for pre-coolingpurposes prior to entry into said chamber; a dispensing valve for saidchamber and normally closed; a vent valve for said chamber and normallyclosed; control means for opening said dispensing and vent valvestogether, and for opening said first valve at a time when saiddispensing and vent valves are closed, and auxiliary valve meansactuated cooperatively with said dispensing valve when the latter isopen for effecting escape of gas at a predetermined controlled rate fromsaid storage container; together with means for automatically regulatingthe flow of beverage from said source into said storage containerdependent upon pressure changes in the latter effected by operation ofsaid auxiliary valve means.

RALPH A. NICHOLSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following referemces are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 715,534 Atchinson Dec. 9, 1902888,212 Wiesenfield May 19, 1908 1,702,560 Ebinger Feb. 19, 19291,959,501 Ross May 22, 1934 2,024,599 Quinn Dec. 17, 1935 2,028,302Thomson Jan. 21, 1936 2,160,501 Hedges et al May 30, 1939 2,284,880Nicholson June 2, 1942 2,331,872 Testori Oct. 19, 1943

